eThembeni (Place of hope)
eThembeni is a training centre that is erected to supply in the need for holistic, affordable training to Christian volunteers, coming from disadvantaged, rural communities. Training must empower them to be a healing, hope generating resource to those infected and affected by HIV and Aids. Training focuses on care, prevention and minimising the effect of HIV and Aids on the community
The logo says it all:
• The Aloe is an indigenous plant to KZN, with amazing healing qualities. We have a dream that trained volunteers will like wise contribute to the healing of their own communities.
• The thorns and bitterness of the Aloe reminds of the pain and suffering, due to HIV and Aids, that is so visible in our community. As believers we can never just turn a blind eye.
• The seven leaves remind us of the Biblical symbolic number seven, symbolising completeness. This inspires us to render a service that will be wholesome and to the glory of God.
• The cross goes right through the Aloe, to the roots. The Christian faith is the driving force of all the volunteer services rendered from this centre.
• The three red flowers remind of God triune, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, without whom, we believe, there is no hope.
Facilities available at eThembeni
• Well equipped kitchen where catering for 80 people can be done.
• Lecture room, fully equipped, to accommodate 80 people .
• Dormitories to sleep 40 people.
• Ablutions to supply in the needs.
• Lounge on the stoep.
• Well secured, in peaceful part of town.
• 1km from nearest taxi stop at Frame factory
• Here people from rural areas can be trained in an affordable, modern equipped facility, without having to travel far distances every day. The atmosphere is calm between indigenous Acacia trees.
Management
The project is managed by the Christelike Maatskaplike Diens (CMD) or Christian Social Services and Usizo Aids Trust. Reformed Churches from the Netherlands was involved in the funding of the project.
The CMD/Usizo presents the following courses at the eThembeni training centre.
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Home Based Care skills are given to volunteers, who train family members of infected people, who are terminally ill. The Red Cross is the accredited training partner in this project. Forty volunteers are caring for about 200 terminally ill people at home. Volunteers are also trained in Biblically counselling skills, procedures to apply for government grants and correct nutrition.
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Unemployed members of the community, with focus on youth run households, are trained in Self Help Group skills. They are assisted to form support groups, start saving clubs, that will be eventual resources for capital generating entrepreneurial projects. Focus is on skill training and support. Kindernöthilfe is the partner in this project. Six volunteers are assisting three hundred unemployed people in this way.
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Youth teams are trained to do Christian based Life Skill training at local schools. African Enterprise and Scripture Union are the partners in this venture.
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Crèche teachers from rural poor communities are trained in Early Childhood Development (ECD) and child evangelism. Through this project ninety teachers are assisting 4500 pre-school children to be intellectually and morally equipped for the future. Many of these children are orphans, in the care of the extended family. Khula ECD Trust, in partnership with the local FET college, supplies the training.
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Church leaders are trained in skills to lead their churches in becoming more caring, open communities, regarding to those infected and affected by Aids. CABSA (Christian Aids Buro of Southern Africa) supplies the training material.
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Church leaders are trained in conducting funerals, counselling and sound hope generating Theology in the contexts of HIV and Aids. iKhwezi Theological Seminary is our partner, who supplies the training material.
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Professional Social Workers are employed and one is occupying an office at the centre. Six social auxiliary workers are employed, of whom one is stationed at the centre. This service provides professional support and mentoring to the project and is subsidised by the department of social development.
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The centre is also a collection and distribution point for all donations in food, basic disinfectants, body lotion, immunity boosters and clothing . These are distributed by volunteers to those in need. A register ensure that donations are distributed correctly.
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Volunteers are also frequently called in for moral and spiritual support in the centre.
How can the churches and community become involved?
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Many businesses already showed good will in supplying services at cost price.
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Pray for the project. Pray that the volunteers will be supported and motivated in the face of so much despair and misery and that they will also have a support base through the rendering of services.
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Donations in food, disinfectants and body lotions are always welcomed. Monday mornings are good days for such donations, since the workers are often in the community. Receipt is acknowledged. Donations are combined to form “parcels of hope”, that is distributed to those in need.
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Khula ECD Trust is in need of training aid for school readiness programmes. They make it from waste card board, egg containers and office scrap paper.
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Be informed about the facts regarding HIV and Aids. Be involved and supportive to those infected and affected.
Contact details:
Christian Social Services/Usizo
Tel: 036-6311185
41 Gelofte street,
Ladysmith,
3370